Dry Transfer Decals vs. Waterslide Decals – Which Are Better?

The Precision of Dry Transfers vs Ordinary Water Slide Decals

In precise and high-quality design applications, dry transfer decals are an excellent replacement for waterslide decals. Particularly in scenarios where prototypes and other objects are subjected to close scrutiny, they instantly improve results. Dry transfers are a better solution for the design community because they offer significant advantages over water slides in a number of key performance areas.

Dry Transfers

vs.

Water Slides

No damage to application surface

Potential water damage to surface

Work without complications on white surfaces

Yellowish carrier media shows on white

Ease of handling, more durable

Messy, delicate, difficult to handle

Allow for true, pure white unlike inkjet printers

Unable to print in true white on inkjet

Ability to follow curves without quality loss

Difficult on curves, can wrinkle & lose shape

Custom Dry Transfers

Water Slide Decals

Dry Transfers Have Visual Advantages Over Water Decals

For anyone accustomed to using water slide decals and considering switching to dry transfer decals instead, they have several application advantages.

Water Decal

Dry Transfer

First and most importantly, some inkjet printer ink is water-based which can cause the ink to run.

The other complication with water slide decals is the yellowish tint of the carrier media. This is instantly visible on white surfaces and can diminish the clarity and sharpness of edges and lines.

With water slides, some designers have even gone as far as concocting diluted vinegar treatments to overcome some visual disadvantages. But the results can be iffy and far from reliable. With the better option of dry transfers in these same situations you no longer need to resort to improvised work-arounds.

Our custom dry transfer stickers (we prefer calling them decals because ours are not sticky) are easier to handle, easier to apply, do not turn yellow over time and do not damage the surface you are applying them to.

Dry Transfer Decals Provide Surface Protection Advantages

Water Damage

Easy to Apply

If you are sampling up a prototype, creating a custom display object or working on a hobby project, dry transfers provide surface protection not possible with products involving water.

Especially when there are tight deadlines, dry transfers reduce potential damage and complications on wood, plastic, paint and other smooth surfaces.

With overnight delivery service, our dry transfers are now easily available in quick turnaround situations. Also because they are created directly from your digital files and color matched with Pantone palettes, you are assured of receiving back exactly what you designed with all of its needed detail and nuance.

Dry Transfers Have Advantages for Application and Ease of Use

Water Decal

Dry Transfer

The application process for dry transfers is direct and straightforward. Other than a steady hand and a focused approach, little else is needed. They are fast and easy to apply. Place where desired, rub down with the burnisher and they are immediately affixed and semi-permanent. Just add a clear coat of lacquer to make them permanent.

Dry transfers can be applied to any smooth surface without damage or any other water-related complications. Better still, they are free from carrier media so there is no need to cut around the edges of the decal. The adhesive only exists under the image – where you need it.

Neither solvents nor treatments are needed and one of the greatest advantages is no drying time is required. Your piece is ready the moment you finish applying the dry transfer. For applications requiring greater durability, applying a coat of clear lacquer is an additional option.

Dry Transfers have a Precise Look with Perfect Results – Instantly

Dry Transfers produced for Milwaukee Tool

The final measure of success for any project is a visually precise and accurate appearance. With dry transfers, successful outcomes are more likely and the process for getting to a final piece is less left to chance.

If the piece will be in use for some time or is subject to handling, dry transfers are more durable than water slides. They are simply more stable and longer lasting.

Our dry transfers are available in a broader range of interesting appearance options including both metallic and foil.

Each color transfer decal is backed with white to ensure a consistent and uniform look.

Water Decal

Dry Transfer

In side-by-side comparisons with water slides, most designers agree the dry transfer achieves a more finished, permanent and precise look.

If you are planning a project or have one under way right now, it’s a great time to switch to using dry transfers.

They are available overnight, have fewer complications, ensure a more precise appearance and are much easier to use.

Deadlines and changing specs can add enough stress and complication to your workflow. The advantage of dry transfers can remove one variable from your list and help you achieve better results right away.

Image Transfers are custom dry rub-on transfer specialists. We make only one thing: custom rub down transfers for graphic designers, artists and model-makers. A dry transfer (or rubdown) is an image printed on a translucent sheet. The image has a coating of adhesive on its back. The image is transferred from the translucent sheet onto another surface by applying light pressure in a rubbing motion. The dry transfer can be applied to any surface that is free of dust, grease or oil. Dry transfers are referred to as DRY because they are applied dry, without the use of water or solvents. A dry transfer is not a slip-off label or a water decal, instead the transferred image appears as if it was printed directly onto the item. Our dry transfers are opaque because we back the colors with white, so our rubdowns can be applied to a surface of any color without changing the color of the rub-on transfer. We consider dry transfers a semi-permanent application. Our production artists can match all Pantone Matching System (PMS) colors including Metallic. Standard transfers are semi-gloss but we also offer matte and uncoated finishes. We deliver within as little as 24 hours. -- Specialties: Custom Rub Down Dry Transfers, Art Gallery Signage & Museum Labels, Custom Transfers for Product Prototypes, Comps & Mockups, Dry Transfers for Scale Models.

Nick, We are probably not the right source for you for this project. Yes we can probably create these transfers but we don’t have any “off the shelf” product. Everything is custom so we would need to create that art, and I assume it will be multi-color? Our price structure usually fit the budgets of Industrial Designers creating prototypes. Usually most model makers don’t have these type of budgets. Please review our pricing published on our website. If these costs work for you please get back in touch. As an alternative may I recommend you specifically google exactly what you are looking for to get a source.

Michael, I can’t say if any of our clients have tried to apply our transfers to unglazed ceramic but they have been applied to a lot of different substrates including “rocks.” The transfers are lacquer ink with lacquer adhesive. Since adhesive is only on the image area, there will not be any adhesive residue. I would “assume” they will work fine. If you want more info just email us at art@imagetransfers.com Thanks for your inquiry.

Our production artists are very talented but it would be difficult to determine if we can produce this with just a description. Is it possible to send a visual of the art to our email address at art@imagetransfers.com? We have created custom dry transfers from complex art and multi-color but need more information before we can say yes to this project.

Bill, Sorry for any delay in replying. Our transfers are lacquer ink with lacquer adhesive. Since adhesive is only on the image area after applied the artwork will look like it is printed right on your substrate. We are not sure if our transfers can be lacquered over with nitrocellulose. We would be happy to send you some samples of our transfers to test on your end if you want to email us your snail mail address. Please reply to art@imagetransfers.com if you are interested. Thanks!

Hi I need decals made for some O scale trains. The decals would be yellow and applied to a medium blue plastic shell. They would just say the road name (Granite Gorge & Rockville) and numbers. I can send you exactly what I want. Thanx, James

James, We would be happy to help you with this project. Our pricing for 1/color transfers is published on our website and goes by “size area” so we would gang-up/repeat your copy to fill a letter size since that is the smallest size we offer. Letter 1/color is $175.00. It seems your artwork would be simple so we can probably set that for you at no additional charge. If you would like to move forward just email us at art@imagetransfers.com with more information. We look forward to hearing back from you.

Bill, Our transfers are lacquer ink with lacquer adhesive. They are not suitable to apply to a car. They are mostly used by Industrial Artists creating prototypes. You might want to check into vinyl lettering. Maybe “google” vinyl sign companies. Vinyl is used on indoor and outdoor signage and might be the right solution for you. Good luck.

Jim, Our transfers are lacquer ink with lacquer adhesive. They certainly can be put on a black fender, and since adhesive is only on the image area, after applied it will look like the art is printed right on the substrate. But if applied for a permanent solution you would have to coat the transfer w/clear lacquer spray. Our transfers are usually used for prototypes. If you want more information just get in touch. Thanks for your inquiry. Luann

Hi
Looking to av a dry letter transfer made to replace the originial 1 that as worn away on the side of a old locomotive
The transfer says
elemore
Colliery
Any help or advice would be much appreciated
Thank you

Tony, We can certainly create a custom dry transfer for you but we would need “artwork” for the elemore colliery image. If you needed us to create artwork for you that would be an additional cost. Pricing is published right on our website. We have no off the shelf products so we are not sure our costs would fit your budget. A one color transfer is $175.00 and artwork would be additional. If you wanted to move forward please send us a visual of the logo you need and we can get back to you with a cost for artwork as well. Thanks for your inquiry.

James, I don’t think we are the right source for you. Out transfers are usually used on prototypes. You might want to specifically google exactly what you need. There maybe some off the shelf decals available for you. Good luck.

Vicki, We have had a client use our transfers for this exact purpose in the past. Our transfers are lacquer ink with lacquer adhesive. Since adhesive is only on the image area, after applied it will look like your logo art is printed right on the glass or ceramic. We just want to detail that the transfer can get scratched if someone tries to do that but we have a transfer on our glass door for years with no issues. Best way to move forward is to gang-up your logo into one of our artboard size areas because that is how our pricing is structured. We need vector artwork. If you have further questions just email back or call the studio at (212) 928-7987. We hope to work with you on this project.

Tina, We don’t use a machine. Our transfers are produced by production artists. All our transfers are custom with clients usually supplying the art but we can create artwork for you as well. Pricing is published right on our website and cost are by artboard size area. Get in touch if you have more questions.

Tina, We pride ourselves in very high quality custom dry transfers. In order to provide this product we have one production artist working on one transfer until it is completed and packed up for FedEx. We have no off the shelf product or do anything with a printer. Most of our clients are Industrial Designers creating prototypes. The final prototype has to look perfect for marketing purposes. Some projects have smaller budgets. We suggest those clients gang-up more art to make the transfers more cost efficient or search for an off the shelf solution. If you have more questions just get back in touch. We hope you find the perfect solution for your project.